To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Maidstone Market takes place each week on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7am until 1.30pm. The market offers a fantastic variety of stalls, including fresh fruit and vegetables as well as domestic items such as linens and tools.
A FREE shuttle bus (no. 505) runs from the Mall Chequers centre every Tuesday from 9.30am. Buses run every 30 minutes with the last bus leaving the market at 1.30pm.
There is a furniture sale every Thursday with viewing starting at 8am and the bidding starting at 10am.
Generally the market takes place in the car park under the Lock Meadow Building and the smaller stalls go into the Market Hall.
When the Market Hall is not in operation then it hosts many events such as dog shows, vintage toy fairs, bird and reptile shows and craft fairs.
Markets in Maidstone are very traditional and there is a record of Maidstone Market having been run on this site for around 700 years. Until recently, a livestock market was still held in the centre of town, but this has now moved to a more rural location near the showground at Detling.
In the Domesday Book of 1086 Maidstone was a large village with a population of 250, with 5 watermills for grinding flour. This was the likely starting point of trade.
This developed in the 13th century as the town grew and, with the transport link of the River Medway and its proximity to London, it became the perfect place from which to transport fruit and vegetables to London, hence the name the 'Garden of England'.
During the Middle Ages the town hosted fairs. These were similar to markets and people would come from all over the county and London to trade goods.
With other trades in the town, such as wool dyers, stonemasons, shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers, butchers, brewers and bakers, Maidstone became a significant market town.
In addition to these trades Maidstone also had a substantial tanning industry. This involved people bringing skins to town and the process being undertaken. Since fresh water was needed for this industry, Maidstone's riverside location was ideal, however the tanning process was a somewhat smelly business.
Opening 2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024) |
---|
Opening 2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024) |
---|
This Odeon Lux Cinema offers some superb seating and is situated in Maidstone town centre…
This exciting entertainment centre offers an 8-screen multiplex Odeon Luxe Cinema,…
18 lane high-tech bowling centre situated in the Lockmeadow Entertainment Complex.
General Market Running every Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30am to 1:00pm.
If you enjoy bouncing or bouncing as a way of keeping fit this is perfect for you.
Hire Cruisers Ltd offer self-drive hire boat rental on the River Medway. Boats can take…
The River Medway provides the perfect setting to unwind, relax and enjoy the Kent…
One hour trip to between Allington and Maidstone
Three hour trip from Maidstone to Teston…
The River Park Nature Trail is a free trail along the River Medway with 20 posts…
Great dance floor, live music, dj's, secret events, booth bookings and private hire.
Maidstone Carriage Museum is home to a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles and…
Prison Island is an escape room themed attraction and it has a succession of different…
The Parish Church of the county town of Kent was largely built by Archbishop Courtenay…
Escape Hub variety of rooms; in each of them, the Game Masters allow 60 minutes to decode…
A new social venue in Maidstone.
On Fridays you can party whilst you play with…